• The following Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine is available in select LCBO stores via their ‘Go to Market’ program as well as in person at the winery or their Ottawa or Toronto retail store or online via Château des Charmes for home, office or restaurant delivery in Ontario with a two-bottle minimum shipment.

  
Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine 2014 (200ml)
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.95 (565861) 9.0% alcohol
The luscious aromas fairly leapt from the bottle at cork pull—fresh-cut nectarine and apricot, poached pear, candied citrus zest and creamed honey. Underlying ripe, rich flavours of stone fruit, tangerine and crème caramel is the finely honed understated backbone of clean acidity showcasing a deft winemaker’s hand balancing the yin and yang, the sweet and the fresh. There’s lovely weight and roundness on the palate, extended length and a tangy lift on the finish. It’s simply delicious—savour a sip on its own or serve with apricot tart or grilled peaches and soft, artisan cheese. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Colio ‘Lily’ Méthode Cuve Close Non-Vintage
VQA Ontario $16.95 (418657) 12.0% alcohol
Fashioned from 100% Riesling grapes, this sparkling wine has a stream of glorious bubbles to go with a light-on-its-feet stream of green apple and lemon citrus flavour with underlying nuances of ripe pit fruit—peach and nectarine. It won a prestigious Silver at the recent 2015 Ontario Wine Awards. This wine’s made in the method of, and with similar fruit to, quality German Sekt. It’s crisp and refreshing on the delightful finish and aftertaste. Lovely sipped as an aperitif or welcoming wine, it also pours well with lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

  
Fantini Farnese ‘Casal Vecchio’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2013
DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy $10.95 (612788) 13.0% alcohol
Berry fruit, cherries and woodsy aromas herald a mid-full bodied, tang-tinged river of sharp pie cherry and cola laced by savoury grilled herbs, piquant spice underpinned by grainy tannin. It’s nicely textured with a long balanced finish. Pair and pour with lasagna, pasta in tomato sauce or meat-lovers pizza. (Vic Harradine)

  
Hat Trick ‘NHL Alumni’ Cabernet Merlot 2014 
VQA Ontario $14.95 (424663) 13.5% alcohol
Proceeds from each bottle sold will benefit the NHL Alumni Association and its initiatives. Wood smoke, oak and dark cherry aromas swirl from this light-on-its-feet red blend. A delicate wash of pie cherry and red currant interlaced with ripe dark berry fruit bathe the palate. It’s nicely balanced with mid-length finish that’s fruit-driven and tasty. Pour with TSN or Sportsnet, pizza, wings or ribs. (Vic Harradine)

• Receive $2.00 off the regular price shown below for every bottle of Nobilo (415745) purchased now to September 13, 2015. That discount pushes it into the price-quality range tipping well in your favour.

  
Nobilo ‘Regional Collection’ Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Marlborough, New Zealand $16.95 (415745) 12.5% alcohol
The late Nikola Nobilo, a very early pioneer planting vines near Auckland in 1943, is recipient of an Order of the British Empire for his work in the wine industry. His wife, Zuva, now in her 90s, still lives next to the winery. Aromas of grass and gooseberry mingle with tropical fruit before bathing the palate with a tang-laden wash of lemon-lime interwoven with white peach and pineapple flavour. It’s beautifully balanced, crisp and refreshing with a lip-smacking, citrus finish. Pour with pan-seared fresh water fish or grilled sea food.

   
Tavernello ‘Collezione’ Sauvignon 2013

DOC Grave, Friuli, Italy $12.75 (361477) 12.0% alcohol

This Sauvignon Blanc rips from the glass with savory herbs, grassy notes and a mouthful of delicious flavour. Balanced and beautiful it bathes the palate with a persistent wash of spice and herb-laden citrus mingling with passion fruit and a crisp, refreshing tasting experience. It finishes with clean, crisp replays and hints of kiwi fruit. Sip on its own or pour with all manner of light appetizers, especially those with chèvre. (Vic Harradine)

• On September 7, 2015 the price of the following Tini Sangiovese will be reduced to $7.75 for the foreseeable future. That places it in the  exceptional value category.

  
Tini Romagna Sangiovese 2013

DOC Romagna, Italy $10.95 (179432) 12.0% alcohol

Here’s a nifty number punching above its weight—it’s light on its feet with red fruit flavour and plenty of tang. Aromas of red berry fruit and wisps of tobacco dominate the nose on this northern Italian red. It streaks over the palate with red currant and cranberry flavour mingling with pie cherry and ripe red plum infusing the mid-lengthy, dry, racy aftertaste. Pour with pasta in tomato sauce, pizza or lasagna. (Vic Harradine)